A new predictor of improvement in regional left ventricular function assessed by ST/HR slope derived from ST elevation on exercise testing in patients with healed myocardial infarction

• Published in: Journal of electrocardiology 2002-01, Vol.35 (1), p.1-9
• Main Authors: Nakano, Fumio, Hamasaki, Shuichi, Tahara, Minoru, Kihara, Koichi, Kamekou, Masahiro, Tsurugida, Masanori, Yoshitama, Takashi, Ishida, Sanemasa, Yoshikawa, Akiko, Kataoka, Tetsurou, Saihara, Keishi, Minagoe, Shinichi, Tei, Chuwa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Coronary heart disease; Electrocardiography; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; Exercise Test; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Heart; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction - physiopathology; Predictive Value of Tests; Prospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Thallium; Ventricular Function, Left - physiology
• ISSN: 0022-0736; 1532-8430
• DOI: 10.1054/jelc.2002.30702

This study evaluates the clinical usefulness of ST/HR slope derived from ST elevation on exercise to predict the improvement in regional wall motion following coronary revascularization in patients with healed myocardial infarction. We studied 58 patients with a diseased, infarct-related and single-vessel coronary artery. The decline calculated from the final 12 data points relating ST-segment elevation to heart rate during exercise were derived (ST/HR slope). Hypokinesis in the infarcted region was assessed by the centerline method and expressed in terms of standard deviations (SD/chord). The increase more than 30% of the SD/chord, which was defined as the improvement in regional wall motion, was seen in 23 of the 30 patients with a ST/HR slope of [ge ]5.0 ([mu ]V/bpm), and in 4 of the 28 patients with a ST/HR slope [lt ]5.0 ([mu ]V/bpm) (P [lt ] .0001). Thus, a ST/HR slope derived from ST elevation on exercise identifies subgroups of patients who show a good recovery of regional wall motion.